Fishing with long rackets on Hanoi's Tich River

When the water level lowers in Tich River, the residents in Hanoi's outlying district of Thach That will come out and submerge in the river with long rackets to catch the fish.

When the water level lowers in Tich River, the residents in Hanoi's outlying district of Thach That will come out and submerge in the river with long rackets to catch the fish.

Catching fish with long rackets is considered a traditional culture of the people living by the river. The locals often gather to catch fish in September or October in the lunar calendar. During this time, the water level of the Tich River lowers greatly while fish in other lakes and rivers must go this way to reach the sea.

The fishermen often go in groups, cheering and attracting viewers to the river banks. The racket is made from bamboo. The handle is four metres long and the net can be 80cm wide.

At first, the group was small, but more fishermen joined in along the way. Sometimes, about 100 people may stand in the river together to catch fish. The fishermen submerged under water for hours and walked several kilometres each day. Whenever they catch a fish, the fishermen go to the bank so that they can hang the fish to their bodies. Most of the fish caught are carp and will be eaten by the locals.

Other people, who did not want to join the group, fish in a more traditional way with boats and fishing net.

Some photos of people catching fish using long rackets in Thach That District:

  

 

Standing in the water to catch fish

 

 

 

Removing the fish from the net

Others use regular fishing net